Cover for ship hatches



June 13, 1950 H. PRI-:HN 2,511,007

COVER FOR SHIP HATCHE'S Filed Dec. 25, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR `lune 13, 1950 H. PRI-:HN 2,511,007

covER FOR SHIP HATCHES Filed Dec. 23, 1944 5 sheets-snee); 2

lNvEN'roR Hen 1 pren. BY

l A o 44 4145 -VRNEY June 13, 1950 H. PREHN covER FOR SHIP H ATCHES.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 25, 1944 r--ll #Fn-luf l l f INYENTOR y June 13, 1950 H. PREHN 2,511,007

COVER FOR SHIP HATCHES Filed Dec. 25, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 13, 1950 H. PREHN 2,511,007

COVER FOR SHIP HATCHES Filed Dec. 23, 1944 5 SheetS-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. e/z/'l Pre/afa Patented June 13, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

COVER Foa SHIP HATCHEs Henri Prehn, Roslyn, N. Yr Application December 2s,1944, serial No. 569,461

23 Claims.

Thewinvention' relates to covers for ship hatches.

Ingeneral, the invention relates to ship hatch covers of tween decks and weather decks and generally Aof the pontoon type; the vcomponent sections of the hatch cover arearranged when in hatch closing positionv kto substantially abutv one anothervat their juxtaposed edges and are suitably mounted "to be shifted in sucession from their hatch-closing position and stowed in face'- to-face vertical position. The cover sections may bly, each cover sectiorl'is provided with'wheels v arranged 4to 4ride upon track `rails`to facilitate movement Vof the section to and from its vertical stowedfposition. ,'In such wheel-provided embodiments of the invention, the cover sections are equippedv with 'suitable means applicable when in normal lclosing"position to support the cover sections instable relation to the body of the ship independently 'of their wheels.

Such' stable'fsupporting means'is preferably in the form of bolts" or 'equivalent"` carried by the respective -sections andarrang'ed to be :projected relative to thesections to engagea suitable'support in 'fixed relation to the deck of the ship.

Whenr thus supported; the hatchcover sections" may serve as aysupport for' the' stowage of cargo. Most vpreferably such` bolts or equivalent, when movedto projected position, elevate thecover sectionsto thereby free' thesections from support by their" wheels;`"'Advantag'eously,` the track rails are employed for thel support of the bolts. When "retracted, 'the "'bolts' or equivalent are shifted'within the contour of thesectionsjac'- companied'by downward bodilymo'vement of the sectionswhereby 'their' 'wheels' are brought into engagement with'thetrack rails.

Desirably, each section is arrangedwhen' sup-k ported by its wheels tor tiltY upwardly'i'at its 'one end, whereby when the section is shifted'to the end of the hatch opening at which it is to Vbe stowed, its movement "to'full verticalstowed position is facilitated. vWhenin vertical stowed position,'the'cover sections ar'lockedin mutual" face-to-face engagement.'

lresting upon the track rail.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a pontoon type of hatch cover sections pursuant to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment a total of lsix sections is indicated, three of which are shown in vertical stowed position at, say, the aft end ofthe hatch opening; the remaining three sections are shown in normal closing position. As is set forth more fully hereinafter, the three cover sections shown in closing position are arranged to be stowed at the forward end of thehatch.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation. of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation similar to Fig. 2, but indicating in dot-and-dash outlines the sequential movement of one cover sectionv to its stowed position, shown in full outline. l The dot-and-dash line below the deck level ofy the section and operable manually by means of` a wrench or ,equivalent for shifting the support of the section from its wheels to its bolts or equivalent, and vice versa. VIn this view the rsection is shown with its indicated wheel elevated with respect to the track rail.

Fig. 5 is a side ,elevation'similar .to Fig. 4, but showing, the indicated wheel of the cover section Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a preferred form of an individual cover section.l

Fig. 7 is "a bottom view of Fig. 6, indicating that the cover section needinot be closed by a bottom plate.

Figf is a central transverse sectional view'of Figy.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of an applicable type of universalsocket wrench for manually shifting a cover section from 'wheel' to bolt support, and

vice versa.

Fig.'10 is a diagrammatic View on an enlarged scale, of the tapered end of a bolt and its relation to one rail of the track; the bolt is shown at l an intermediate stage of riding of its tapered lower face upon thecorrespondingly tapered side face of a track rail in the transit of the bolt to its position of full support upon the upper surface of the track rail.

' Fig. '11 is a detail top plan view of a side por- U tion of a cover section, enlarged in scale as compared with Fig. 6.

Fig. i2 is a detail elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of six cover sections (shown broken away at their upper and lower portions) in vertical mutual face-to-face engagement, all stowed at one end of the indicated hatch opening. Fig. 12 is also a sectional view taken on line l2-l2 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a detail top plan view of a corner portion of a typical hatch, showing the upper end portions of six cover sections stowed in vertically face-to-iace positions. This view shows the wheels of the sections locked with respect to the indicated track rail by means of drop pins.

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken on line M-M of Fig. 6 and shows a supporting bolt and the mechanism for operating the same.

Fig. 15 is a detail elevational view on line I5-'l5 Yof Fig. 6, on an enlarged scale. This view indicates the cover section in normal closing position, its indicated wheel being elevated relative to the track rail. The view also indicates the coaming of a ,tween deck hatch.

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 15, but showing the wheel of the coverY section resting upon the trackrail and the cover section elevated to vertical position and its lock pin inserted in section locking relation.

Fig. 1'7 is a, detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on line l'l-ll of Fig. 6, showing the safety catch and its guide roller and the mechanism for the same.

Fig. 18 is a detail sectional view on line I8-l8 of Fig. 6. This view .shows one form of overhang extension, provided at opposite sides at one end portionY of the section, serving by its overweight to tilt such end portion of the section downwardly, to thereby elevate the opposite end portion (at which the bolts are located), to thereby preclude inadvertent engagement of the ends of the boltswith the track rails during the stage of transit of the section on the rails, and to insure freedom of movement of the bolts when projected, at the stage of shifting of the cover section from wheel-support to bolt-support.

Fig. 19 is a detail sectional view on line lli-I9 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a top plan View of an embodiment of the invention as installed on a weather deck hatch. Three cover sections are shown vertically stowed, say at the aft end of the indicated hatch opening, and three sections in normal closing position adjacent the forward end of the hatch opening.

Fig. 21 is a detail sectional view corresponding to Fig. 15, but indicating the embodiment as installed in a weather deck hatch.

Fig. 22 is a detail top perspective view, largely diagrammatic, of the forward end of a ship. Two weather deck hatch openings are indicated: the cover sections of the hatch opening adjacent the bow of the ship is shown at a stage of partial opening of its cover sections; the cover sections of the other hatch opening are shown all stowed at the aft end of the opening, in vertical faceto-iace position.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to the hatch construction illustrating a tween deck hatch, 25 represents the brow-plate structure, and 26 the hatch coaming. 21 indicates the opening of the hatch. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in particular, sixcover sections are illustrated as constituting 4 a pontoon type hatch cover section for the opening 2l; these six cover sections are respectively designated 28, 26, 30, 3l, 32 and 33.

Sections 28, 29 and 36 are shown in closing position and sections 3l, 32 and 33 in vertical position, stowed, say, at the aft end of the hatch opening. When the cover sections 3l, 32 and 33, and also the sections 28, 29 and 3B, are in their respective closing positions, the hatch opening 2l is fully closed. When in closing position the contiguous edges of the successive adjoining sections are in immediate edge-to-edge engagement.

Fig. 3 illustrates generally the path oi shifting a cover section to its stowed position. In particular, Fig. 3 illustrates the movement of shift of the cover section 3l from its horizontal closing position to an intermediate position, indicated at Sla in dot-and-dash outline, then to a subsequent intermediate position 3 5b, also shown in dot-anddash outline; the latter named intermediate positionis indicated approaching its vertical, i. e., stowed position, shown in full outline. The arcuate arrcweI appended to the intermediate position Sla indicate a restricted bodily rotational or tilting movement of the cover section 3l in its transit of shift along the track rails. The arcuate arrows appended to the section 3i at its stated subsequent position, 3 lb, indicates a free bodily rotational movement of the cover section 3l toward and to the vertical, at the stage toward and at its vertical stowed position.

Figs. 12 and 13 indicate the six cover sections, numbered 28, 29, 3E), 3l, 32, 33, similarly as above, but in this instance showing all of the sections stowed in vertical position, at one end of the hatch.

Each cover section, as appears from Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, selecting the cover section 28 as typical, is hollow-formed. As shown, the cover section has a top plate, designated 28a, opposite side plates 23D, ait plate 28e and forward plate 28d. These plates are suitably contoured, and seamwelded at their respective abutting edges. Internally of the section are reinforcing members 34, 35, see Figs. 5, 6 and 7, which serve as stiieners extending from the opposite side plates 2819, and are preferably welded in position. Internally oi' the cover section, also, are additional stiiening members, shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, and designated 3S, which extend transversely of the reinforcing members 311-, 35, from the aft plate 28e to the opposite forward plate 28d, and intermediate the reinforcing members 34, 35. Steel serves as excellent material for these parts. As appears from Figs. '7 and 8, the cover section may not be fully closed at its bottom.

Suitable means are provided for facilitating the shifting of each section from its horizontal closing position to its vertical stowed position, and conversely from vertical stowed position to horizontal closing position. Such shift-facilitating means includes wheels or shoes 3l for the respective sections. As appears from Figs. 12 and 13 and also Figs. 4 and 5, two wheels 3l are provided for each cover section. These wheels are suitably mounted at the respective opposite ends of the cover section, on shafts which are in substantial alignment.

As shown in Fig. 1l, each wheel 3l is -mounted on a stub shaft 38 which is supported within suitable openings in a side plate 23h, and in a supporting member 4E). The wheel 3l may be rigidly secured to the shaft 38 and a bearing provided for the shaft 38 at the stated openings, 01' the shaft 38 may be xedly secured within the Two rails 4| serve as a trcksforithe Wheelsi' such vftrae'zkv rails` may bei suitablyf secured; see Fi'g's "14,15, r16 and."Y 175,'to?ppsite'r inner Sides of 5 tl'ie manning-'2670i 'the hatch open'iifg ia bracketv-l ofthelcharacterfindicatedf atl- 42 in Figs. '-14 tliiolgh 18, "Weldeftoi Suchsde'sff-'tlie coarnin'g, 5 may serve to support the respectivewrails 4I.- Each Wheely 3l is preferably provided with a rim 31d', `toins'ure proper retention of the) Wheels 31 Withrespect tothe'A track rails 41,5 serviceable alsounderconditio'ns of list or high 'seaf4 Spfcically', fas shown infFigstll'and 14 of lthe drawings, mounting rneanssuitable for the statedv reciprocation of `eachbolt 43, comprises suitable openings in the concerned side plate 28bffand thereto'ladjacent intermediate Istiiiening member 36,for guidingandpositioning such bolt. Fig. 14 indicatesl in` fullfoutl'ine the projected position of the bo1t43," i. e., resting fully upon they vupper surface of the track rail' 4l the retracted position ofthe bolt-43" is indicated by the" dot-anddash outline 43a. Desirably,la limit Stop 46,"se cured tothe under face of the bolt 153, cooperates with the indicated stifeni'ngA member 36 to preclude undue extension of projection ofthe bolt` 43,'an'd a limit stop '41V also secured tothe under face*v of the bolt similarly servesto restrictthe inward retracting movement of the bolt v43. TwoV bolts43, see Figs. 1 and 7, are provided for each cover section andl fare' arranged'y to projectr inopposing directions at the opposite sides 28h, 28H01? thefcover section and are located'toward one vend portion of the section, narneligfintheV` plane `indicated by the section line I 4-14; shown mrtg; f6.

Power means for projecting and retracting-the respective pairs of bolts '43," 43', of a cover section,y areillustrat'ed'in Figs. 11 and.v 14,7 and as' shown comprises a main driving' shaft 50 jour'naled'in suitableopenings 5l 5l, see'Fig. 11, in the'stiifem ingplat'es 34,"55352 and in a bearing'bracket 52: Tothe end of the shaft 56 is secured the bevel gear v53 rrwhich' meshes with the bevel vgear- 501, secured Vto Vthe shaft 55 which passes 'through 45 thef-bea-ring 'opening 5E in the bearing bracket Elk-The 'shaft 55v is provided with 'squarethre'ade ing at its free end 55a, meshing-'with the thread-1' ingi'of the nut 5t which 'is secured'tojthebolt 43.7"Figllfl'indicates the nut 58 positioned whenv the bolt 43 is projected;`the dot-and-das'h'fcutline` alindicates the position of the nutcorr'espon ing to the retracted position 43a of the bolt 43;

Application of power to the driving shaft"V 5i!" is indicated in Fig". fi, in this' instance manually "55 applied by vmeans of a universal wrench'sj'fsee Fig. 9, having a socket llf'adapted to engage thef squared endv 5560i the bolt operating shaft'iit. The* opening 5| in -the'top plate 28a affords access of the wrench to the shaftend 5ta. The universalf'joint is indicated at 59a.

As shown in the drawings; each bolt of any individual cover section is powereoperated indi'- v vidually, and accordingly it is Aadvar'itageous-when shifting *a cover sectionv fromv bolt-support'tok wheel-support, and conversely,lto concomitantly operate `both bolt-shifting mechanisms." It is apparent that the Abolts of 'any section may be mechanically -coupled to afford simultaneous operation 'and that a mechanical`drive,'jin lieu 70 of manual operation, may be employed.

In iFigs. 4 and `5, vthe dot'and`dash"linelcfl i indicates the horizontal, andthe ldistance be# tweehthe line`42 in Fig. 4 from'the hori`zorta1 line# l a. 1 indicates the extent of elevation" of the "7 5 operate-'with'the bolts '133,711 'in the support of portfof'thf'seetion'when notsupported by, its 3l, are verl'angextensions designatedvr generaiiytatr'f. Eigsia, i5, 6,7, '1,8 and 19 mustrate the"'" overhangextensions S2,y S2, which are arranged fatthepposite sides of `each cover sec-- tion at' itsfend 4bpposite rto vthat adjacent vv lf 1ich A the lbolt's'5ll3-` 43,'m areV located. One overhang extensions?V is also shownin Fig. 11.

be `the horizontal member of va bracket65, indicatedaswelded to ythe side plate 28h of the section;` y

The plates 64,' 64, of Veach cover Asection cothesection(when"it is not supported by its wheels 31, 3l) by engagernentfupon the upperiaces of the track rails 4l, lll, respectively;

When lit is desired to shift a cover section to its stowed position, the bolts'43, 43, are withdraw-n',A as referred to above. For the purpose of 'controlling theextent of tilt of each cover` section in its movement toward stowed position,

seeFigwlfl, rimmed rollers 61,67, one Aat each of theoppositesides of the corversection` are pro- Q' vided which cooperate with the angle plates, 68,`respectively, and are securedat'the opposite i innerfacesof the brow-plate structurefg; 4Each irollerl'l is rcarri'edloy a safety catch 9f v`v hi c h` is` reciprocallyf mounted Within the cover section," cover section `23 beingindicated in Fig. 17, in a suitable opening in the side plate 28h andl anv opening in the bracket lil, whicfhfis secured to the under face of theftop plate 23a of such section 28. The retractable'sprin'g 'il serves tobias the safety catchtiifin itsprojected position, vto bring the rimrr 'of the 'roller 6l k"in operativerelai tion with' the 'under 'face of the angle plate $8.

The pawl '12,A suitably pivoted on itsbracket 13 to 'the -under f aceiof the'top plate 28d Vof the cover section is overlweighted Vto bias its hooked end 12d under gravity into the notch 13 of the safety catchfifwhen the Asafety catch is in its proj ectef'il position. 1 .50.

Rimnedrollers 61, bytheir' engagementwith angle plates 63 prevent'accidental tilting of the cover section after bolts 43 are withdrawn either accidentally or intentionally. Positive actuation of'pawl- 12 yis required to release'riinmed rollers "6l from engagement with angle plates 68 before thecove'r sectioncan be manually movedV to vertical position. As indicated-above, each cover section is overweighted atitsen'd portion at which'its extensionsare locateohiorr the purposes'oi` elevating,

i. e.,"tilting the opposite end portion of the cover section at which its bolts are located to bring the boltsll in alignmentwith track 4I preparatory to the projection of said'loolts.'Vv

rails is typified in Fig.` 3 by the coveif section 3l. Such shifting may-be accomplished manually by engaging the hook ends of ropes or chains in the Aopening ftlief'jone`y opening" Sile vbeing shc'iwn` in 'FigT 1l with respect to the cover section 3i),`and

The shiftingof a cover section along the track* When the cover section approaches its position at 3B. indicated in Fig. 3, the exposed ends 12b of the pawls 12 are depressed through the openings 14 (in the top plate of the cover section), thereby freeing their hooked ends 12a from engagement with the notches 13 of the safety catches 69, and kicking or otherwise pushing the rollers 61, 61 toward the cover section, accompanied by lifting up the overhang-embracing end portion of the cover section whereupon the bolt-embracing end of the cover section is forced downwardly, as indicated in Fig. 1'1 by the elevated dot-and-dash outline 69a depicting the elevation of the safety-catch 69 and its roller 61. 'Ihe cover section is thus free to assume full vertical position and may be pushed while supported by its wheels 31, to its proper stowed position. When attaining its stowed vertical position, it may be locked as by means of headed pins 15, as indicated in Figs. 12 and 13.

Such pins 15 when not in use to lock the section may be conveniently stowed at the sides of the section. This is indicated in Fig. 16, with reference to the section 28, as by passing its headed pin 15 in the ear 15 and an opening in the indicated bracket 11.

Bumpers 18 are provided at the end or ends of the hatch opening at which the cover sections are stowed, as appears in Figs. l, 12 and 13.

The hinged covers 8l), 8l) at the opposite sides of each cover section are provided for the purpose of closing the gaps between the sides of the cover section, such as the sides 23D, 28h, see Fig. 14 with respect to the cover section 28, and Fig. 1l with respect to the cover section 30, to thereby provide a substantial closure of the hatch opening in protection of the cargo; also to avoid any accidental stepping into such gap or gaps by the crew or other person, etc.

The hinged covers 82, 80 of each cover section are in their gap-closing position when the cover section is in its horizontal position. When it is desired to shift the cover section to its stowed position, preliminary to which the cover section is brought to support on its wheels, its hinged covers Sii, 80 are swung open; upon the cover section attaining the end of the hatch opening at which it is to be stowed, the end portion of the cover section in which its bolts are located ls pushed downward to thereby elevate the end portion of the cover section in which its overhang extensions are located, the accomplishment of such downward movement of the boltembracing' end portion being afforded by the inward displacements of the' rollers 61, 61 (of the overhang extensions 62, 62) to be free of their limit-stop rails 68, 58, as indicated in Fig. 17, and described hereinabove.

Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate the installation of cover sections, pursuant to the invention, in a weather deck hatch. Such arrangement corresponds generally to the arrangement illustrated and described as above set out with reference to a tween deck hatch. The relatively higher coaming 26 of weather deck hatch is indicated in Fig. 21.

The diagrammatic illustration, Fig. 22, depicts a conventional cargo ship 8! equipped with two Weather deck hatch openings 82, 83. The cover sections of the hatch 82 are shown all stowed at its aft end. The cover sections of the hatch 83 are indicated at a stage of partial opening of its cover sections.

Reference to Figs. 2 and 3 shows the dot-anddash outline 84 which indicates the height to which cargo on the lower deck may be stowed.

Such increased potential of high stowage capacity of a ship is attained by structural and functional features afforded by the invention. It will be noted that the higher horizontal line portion of the outline 84 closely approximates the level of the lower faces of the cover sections, which is aiorded by the restricted tilt of the sections to and from their closing positions in their transit along the track rails.

Other fundamental advantages reside in the facility of shifting the cover sections (necessarily of heavy weight imposed by the requirements of hatch covers) by manual operation, if necessary, the safety of the ships crew in the course of such operation, and other advantages, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

l'. claim:

1. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side, in substantial alignment with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the eiective center of mass of the respective cover sections; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of said wheels of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails within the opening of the hatch; and means reciprocablly carried by the cover sections for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails.

2. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side, in substantial alignment with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the effective center of mass of the respective cover sections; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of said wheels of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails within the opening of the hatch; and means reciprocably carried individually by the cover section for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails.

3. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim en gagement as a cover for such hatch opening; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side, in substantial alignment with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the eifective center of mass of the respective cover sections; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of said wheels of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails within the opening of the hatch; and means reciprocably carried by the cover sections for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails, said stable supporting means when in operation serving to elevate the cover sections with respect to the track rails.

4. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side, in substantial alignment with one another in a Vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the eiective center of mass of the respective cover sections; track `rails ^extendingtoward'. theends .ofthe hatch for :the transit support.of..said Wheels: of.the..cover ...sections;. meansfor mountingsaid ,track rails .Within .the .opening of -the hatch ;V .and means reciprocably carriedindividually by thecover sec- .tions for supporting the. cover-sections instable relation to Nsaid ,track rails, ,said stable .supportingmeans when in .operation servingnto elevate `the, cover sections-With. respect to the track rails.

5. Stowablecoven.meansfor. a hatchv opening .of aship, comprising a Aplurality of sections serv- .ing when arranged in `edge-to-edge.seriatirn engagement as acover for such hatch opening; a painof. wheels foreach cover section; means for mountingsaidwheels,oneuat each sitlepinsublstantial alignmentvvith one anothery in avertical plane disposed `closely adjacent .the .effective center of .massY ofthe respective coverisections; trackrails extending toward thepends ofdthe hatch. for. the transit support of A said Wheels of, Y ythe, cover sections; means. for .mountingw said track rails vvithinfthe opening of the hatch;` and .means reciprocably carried individually bythe covery sections for. supporting the covernsections in stable .relation to saidtrack railsy said stable Y ...supporting meansincluding elementsfin substantial. mutual alignment..mounted oneachcover section.

6.- Stowable .coverineansfor a4 hatch opening ofk a ship, comprising a pluralityof sections serv-.7, l30

inglvvhen arranged in edge-to-edgeseriatim engagementV asa coverforssuch hatchopening;l a pair of Wheels for each cover sectionpmeans .for

`mountingisaid Wheels, one at eachside,l fin-subvstantial alignment Witheone anothery in a verti-`v`^` cal plane disposed closely adjacentthe effective center of mass ofl the .respective cover sections;

. .track rails extending. toward then ends of .A the hatch forlthe` transit supportvofssaidmwheels of the `cover sections; .means .for `mounting* said track `rails Within the .opening ofthe .hatch and means reciprocably carried individually .bythe cover sections for.. supportingthe .coversections in stablerelation to saidtrackrails, said stable supporting, means ,including ,.reciprocable .ele-

.ments in substantial mutual-alignment mounted onteachcover section.

i 1- Stowable covervmeans for a hatch Opening. .of a Shin, .Comprising a. plurality 0rV .secticnsservng i when ,araneed incase-@wedge seratm .engagementi as a cover fortsuch` hatchopening; track rails -extending toward A they ends of .thehatchfor the transit supportof thecoversections; appair. of

Wheels for each cover section; means for.: mounting said vv'iheelsgone `at .each tsiede adjacent said track rails, .in substantial alignment With one another in `a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent e the efectivecenter of mass of the respective cover sections; .and means reciprocably carried individually by thecover sections for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails, said stable supporting means including reciprocable elements in,substantial mutual alignment mounted on each cover section to be displaced and projected toward said track rails; and means carried by the section and ,co-acting with said track one .another` in a` Avertical .plane disposed closely ladjacent the effective center: of mass-of there- L spective. cover sections ;l.meanereciprocably` carriedindividuallyby .theicover sections for sup- 51 porting.` vthe cover-v sections in stable relation `to said track rails, said stablesupporting means inf .cluding lwreciprocable `elements in `.substantial mutual Valignment mounted. on each. cover section to bedisplaced-and projected towardsaid track ..10I t rails and rollermeanscarr-ied by the .coversecv. tion` :and .cooperatingv..with .the coaming to` limit l the extent of tilt `of the section.

s 9; Stowable` cover means for` :a l hatch opening .of a ship,..comprising aipluralityifof.sections-serv- ,15iz ing .when arrangedmin.,edge-to-edge -seriatim engagement as.. a cover. Afor,u such:V hatch open-ing; V:r track railsextending. towardztheends ofthe hatch for.thetran'sit support lof lthe covensectionsya pair-of ...Wheels for. each-i cover section; 1 means `for mountingy said Wheels, oneateach side adjacent .-isa'idntrack-.rails in,` substantial. alignment with fone another.1 in.. eli-vertical planedisposed y closely :adjacent ytheY effective centenot. mass of therespective` cover sectionsameans. carriedv individually. by the cover sections for supporting the cover sections linl estable-relation `to said track-virails, saldi-stable `:supporting means i including .recipro- L cable elements in. substantial mutual` alignment mounted on each-.cover v-sectionutolbe displaced andr projecteditoward said track rails said -stable supportingtmeansincluding.r means4 other than lsaidi.reciprocableelements for effecting over- :We'ightingopl-thecoveresection; and means carried byetheccover .section for limitingthe extent 35. of tilt of the coversection.

:10e Stovvablehcover meansfor A a `hatch opening .-ofI aA ship, comprising at pluralityof sections serv- J. ing when. arrangedminedge-to-edgeseriatim enegfagement v .ast au cover for Usuchehat'ch opening; 40.. 1trackrailsextending.toward the ends-ofthe hatch -forwthetransit supportn of the cover sections; means for lmounting said track 4rails lrespectively Within `the opening. ofthe hatch apair of `Wheels i forv eachcover vsectionyrneans formountingsaid .'-vvheels,` one'at each side adjacent-said-track rails,

Y- in substantial alignment LWithone another. ina f vertical planedisposed closely--adjacentcthe` ef- :fective center. of mass of the respective'coversec- 1 tions; rmeans-i. Acarried individually by the i cover sections for .supporting-the coverI sections sin 50 stable .relation to said track railsfVsaid-stable supvporting means including reciprocable elementsin substantial mutual alignment mountedon-veach recover; section, said stable supporting means includingmeansother than 'said reciprocable-=ele mentscioreifecting overvveighting-- of `the cover l section; and Ameans including rollers carried `by the section 1and-disposed.opposite of saidreciprocable elements relative `-to ythe-center of mass of the. section .for limitingthe. extent `of tilt of `the section.

11. 1Stowable-coverfmeansffor a hatchopening of a ship,V c-omprisingaplurality of sections servving whenarrangedlin edge-to-edge-seriatim engagement as a cover-1 f or such-:hatch opening;

track rai-ls extending towardlthe ends of -the hatch for :the transit support of-*the cover sections; meansfor l mounting saidtrack lrails respectively IWithin, the opening ofthe hatch; auparof wheels for each cover section; means for'mountinglsaid wheels, one at each side adjacent saidjtrack rails,

.in substantial v alignment with` one another inY "a vvertinl Plane disposed. .Qlosely adiacenttheeffectivecenterofwnrassfjofthe respective cover sections; .means arriedby the. `Cover..Sectifms .for

k ksupporting the cover sections in stable relation to 1 1 said track rails, elements reciprocably carried by the section serving to support the section and effecting elevation of said wheels relative to said track rails; and means carried by the section cooperating with said reciprocable elements in such support of the section.

12. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails respectively within the opening of the hatch; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side adjacent said track rails, in substantial alignment with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the effective -center of mass of the respective cover sections; and reciprocable means carried by the cover sections for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails, said supporting means including reciprocable elements individually supported by the cover section and serving to elevate the cover section by engagement with said track rails, said supporting means further including means carried by the section and disposed to engage said track rails when said `wheels are in elevated position.

13. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of aY ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails respectively within the opening of the hatch; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side adjacent said track rails, in substantial alignment `with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the effective center of mass of the respective cover sections; and individually reciprocable means carried by the cover sections for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails, said supporting means including both means projectedly carried by the cover section and serving when projected to engage said track rails to elevate the wheels of the cover section, said supporting means further including means carried by the cover section and disposed to engage said track rails upon engagement of said bolt means with said track rails.

14. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of .a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails respectively within the opening of the hatch; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side adjacent said track rails, in substantial alignment with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the effective center of mass of the respective cover sections; means carried individually by the cover sections or supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails, said stable supporting means including reciprocable elements in substantial mutual alignment mounted on each cover section for engagement with said track rails, said supporting means further including plate means carried by the cover section and disposed to engage said track rails upon engagement of said reciprocable elements with said track rails.

12 said plate means being distributedly mounted on each cover section to eiect closure of the cover section when supported by its wheels; and means carried by the cover section for limiting the extent of tilt yof the cover section.

15. Stowable cover means for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a plurality of sections serving when arranged in edge-to-edge seriatim engagement as a cover for such hatch opening; track rails extending toward the ends of the hatch for the transit support of the cover sections; means for mounting said track rails respectively within the opening of the hatch; a pair of wheels for each cover section; means for mounting said wheels, one at each side adjacent said track rails, in substantial alignment with one another in a vertical plane disposed closely adjacent the effective center of mass of the respective cover sections; means including bolt means carried individually by the cover sections for supporting the cover sections in stable relation to said track rails, said cover section supporting means including plate means distributedly mounted on each cover section to eect overweighting of the cover section when supported by its said wheels.

16. A cover section for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a hollow formed body; shaft means mounted in said hollow body and at opposite sides thereof; a wheel respectively carried by said shaft means, the axes of said wheels being in substantial alignment; bolt means carried by said cover section; and means for reciprocally mounting said bolt means with respect to the cover section to project beyond the contour of the cover section to serve as a support for the cover section in stable relation in substitution of support of the cover section by its said wheels, and when in non-supporting relation to be withdrawn within the contour of the cover section; the axes of said wheels being disposed in a plane closely adjacent the vertical plane passing through the effective center of mass of the cover section.

17. A cover section for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a hollow formed body; shaft means mounted in said hollow body land at opposite sides thereof; a wheel respectively carried by said shaft means, the axes of said wheels being in substantial alignment; bolt means carried by said cover section; means for reciprocally mounting said bolt means with respect to the cover section to project beyond the contour of the cover section to serve as a support for the cover section in stable relation in substitution of support of theY cover section by its said wheels, and when in non-supporting relation to be withdrawn Kwithin the contour of the cover section; theV axes of said wheels being disposed in a plane closely adjacent the vertical plane passing through the effective center of mass of the cover section; and elements in substantial mutual alignment disposed adjacent the opposite end portion of the cover section cooperating with said bolt means when in projected position, to support the cover section in stable relation with the bodyn of the ship.

18. A lcover section for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a hollow formed body; shaft means mounted in said hollow body and at opposite sides thereof; a wheel respectively carried by said shaft means, the axes of said wheels being in substantial alignment; bolt means carried by said cover section; means for reciprocally mounting said bolt means with respect to the cover section to project beyond the contour of the cover section to serve as a support for the cover section.

in stable relation in substitution of support of the cover section by its said wheels, and when in nonsupporting relation to be withdrawn within the contour of the cover section; the axes of said `Wheels being disposed in a plane closely adjacent the vertical plane passing through the effective center of mass of the cover section; and elements in substantial mutual alignment carried by the cover section and disposed remotely relative to said bolt means and cooperating with said boltI` means when in projected position to support the cover section, the aforesaid elements being distribut f mounted on the cover section to effect overvveignting of the cover section when supported by its wheels.

19. A :cover section for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising `a hollow formed body; a pair of shafts respectively mounted in said hollow body and at opposite sides thereof; Wheels respectively mounted on said shafts, the axes of said Wheels being in substantial alignment and disposed in a plane closely adjacent the vertical plane passing through the eiective center of mass of the cover section; bolt means carried by the cover Section; means for reciprocably displacing said bolt means to project beyond the contour of the cover .section at said opposite sides; elements in substantial mutual alignment carried by the cover section and respectively remotely disposed relative to said bolt means, said elements serving cooperatively With said bolt means to support the cover section in substitution of the support of the cover section by its said wheels, the aforesaid elements being distributedly mounted. on the cover section to eiect closure of the cover section lwhen supported by its wheels; and roller means carried by the cover section serving to limit the extent of tilt of the cover section when supported by its said Wheels.

20. A cover section for a hatch opening of a ship, comprising a hollow formed body; a pair of shafts respectively mounted in said hollow body and at opposite sides thereof; Wheels respectiveh7 mounted on said shafts, the axes of said Wheels being in substantial alignment and disposed in a plane closely adjacent the vertical plane passing through the effective center of mass of the cover section; bolt means carried by the cover section; means for reciprocably displacing said bolt means to project beyond the contour loi the cover section at said opposite sides; elements in substantial mutual alignment carried by the cover section and respectively remotely disposed relative to said bolt means, said elements serving cooperatively with said bolt means to support the cover section in substitution of the support of the cover section by its said wheels, the aforesaid elements being distributedly mounted on the cover section to effect overvveighting of the cover section at its end opposite said bolt means; rand roller means carried by the cover section serving to limit the extent of tilt of the cover section `when supported by its said wheels.

21. A hatch cover comprisingr a bod, shoes, protruding from opposite sides of said body, and adapted to support the cover pivotally Within a hatchway and to facilitate horizontal movement of the cover relatively to the hatchway, and extensible guide means on at least one of such opposite sides spaced from said shoes and adapted, when extended, to coact with adjacent portions of a hatchway whereby to restrain the cover against movement other than non-angular horizontal movement.

22. A hatch covecomprising a body, means protruding from opposite sides or" said body for supportingthe cover pivotally within a hatchway, and to facilitate rotational movement and horizontal movement or" the cover relatively to the hatchway, means for locking the cover against any such movements, and means for guiding the cover, in such horizontal movement, whereby to prevent jamming of the cover in the hatchway, the said locking and guiding means being extensible Afrom the cover for so locking and guiding the latter and retractable to permit such pivotal movement.

23. A hatch cover comprising a body, supporting means protruding from opposite sides of said body, for supporting the cover pivotally, and locking means for locking said body against pivotal movement and constituting second supporting means, said looking means comprising one or more bolts adapted for extension into engagement ywith a hatch portion to lock the cover in horizontal position and against pivotal movement, the said bolts each having an inclined surface on its underside, adapted, in its said extension movement, to coact with a hatch portion, when the cover is in horizontal position, to Wedge the cover upwardly sufficiently to relieve the said first-mentioned supporting means of the weight of the cover.

HENRI PREHN.

` wing references are of record in the s patent:

UNTED STATES PATENTS The i le of t 

